Patent GB-587373-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in fare collecting systems for public passenger vehicles
Inventor: ROUSE ERNEST EDWARD
Filed: 1944-11-09
Abstract: 587,373. Fare-collecting devices. ROUSE, E. E. Nov. 9, 1944, No. 22069. [Class 106 (iii)] A fare-collecting and passenger-counting device for a public vehicle comprises in combination a token-issuing machine, adjustable to issue tokens identified with the fare stage, counters for registering the number of tokens issued, the number of passengers entering, the number of passengers leaving, a device to indicate the number of vacancies for new fares and means sensitive to the entrance and exit of each passenger for sending impulses as appropriate to the various units enumerated, which are all arranged for convenience near separate, but adjacent entrance and exit doors. The fare for the journey is exacted by the conductor who records the transaction upon a cash register, preferably provided with visual indicating means. The token-issuing machine comprises a table 7, Fig. 5, supported on a column 6 and supporting a central pillar 8 and smaller pillars 10, the latter supporting a second table 11 having a clearance hole 12 about the pillar 8. The space between the tables is closed by a removable metal shroud 13 and the upper table supports, on a ball race, a ring plate 14, having fixed thereon token magazines 17, which are distanced from the central pillar 8 by the cover 18, the latter carrying a tube 23 coaxial with the pillar, ending at its base in a ratchet-wheel 24 fixed thereto, whereby the magazines carrying tokens appropriate to each fare stage may be rotated and brought consecutively into line with an ejector 43, a spring detent preventing overmovement. The ratchet-wheel 24 is actuated by a pawl 26, Fig. 7, pivoted on a rod 28 controlled by a solenoid 30 which is energized upon depression of a switch by the conductor. A token for each passenger is delivered into a tray 91 by a sharp impulse from the ejector 43, restrained by a brake 61. The impulse is imparted to the ejector through a pin 58 working in slots 57 in arms 54a of two levers fixed in alignment on a rotatable shaft 55. A second arm 54 of one lever carries a pawl 70 and is pivoted to a rod 53, connected through a knuckle joint 52 to a rod 50 controlled by a solenoid 48 which is energized upon depression of a switch 65, Fig. 8, by a cam 67 upon the automatic depression of a resiliently hinged board 66 by a passenger upon entry. Simultaneously with the delivery of a token, the pawl 70 actuates the counter 71 and a cam 76 on the shaft 55 depresses a switch 74 causing a solenoid 79, Fig. 4, to be energized and to rotate a ratchet-wheel 81 which operates a counter 92 and turns a sprocket-wheel 77. Similarly, a solenoid 80 is energized upon the exit of a passenger and causes rotation of a ratchet-wheel 82 which operates a counter 93 and turns a sprocket-wheel 78. The two sprocket-wheels 77, 78 carry an endless chain 83 which passes round a sprocket-wheel 84, supporting a measuring rod or indicator 87 and movable in a fixed guide 89 while a slot in the rod guides a fourth sprocket-wheel 85 supported by the endless chain. The measuring rod 87 rises with the forward rotation of the sprocket 77 and falls with that of'the sprocket 78, the resultant movement indicating the number of passengers remaining. The electric impulse required to energize the solenoid 80 upon the exit of a passenger may be caused automatically by the said passenger traversing a resiliently hinged board as when boarding the vehicle or by the conductor inserting the token, surrendered upon payment of the fare, into a shoot and closing a circuit. According to the Provisional Specification, the resiliently hinged board 66 may be replaced by a turnstile adapted to actuate the token issuing machine and counter 71. The arms of the turnstile barriers are articulated and hinged and capable of being caused to collapse in an emergency to allow free passage. A turnstile may also be fitted at the exit.